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 ...in a wealthy pagan family of Carthage and lived in splendor until his conversion at 46. After conversion, he sold his estates and gave all to the poor. Only two years after his baptism, he was made bishop of Carthage and placed at the head of all the North African clergy.
In 253, Valerian became the emperor of Rome. Three years later, he began a systematic persecution of the leaders of the Church. Cyprian was brought before the Roman consul in Carthage and ordered to sacrifice to the pagan gods. He refused and firmly professed Christ. The consul forced Cyprian into exile for eleven months. He was then returned to Carthage, tried before the consul, and condemned to be beheaded.
When the sentence was pronounced, he said, “Thanks be to God.” He was immediately taken to be executed. He knelt in prayer, tied the bandage over his eyes with his own hand, gave the executioner twenty-five pieces of gold, and died with the dignity of a hero. He said before his death,
“Only above is true peace and eternal security. There is our dwelling, there is our home. Who would not gladly hasten to reach it? There a great multitude of beloved awaits us; the numerous host of fathers, brethren, and children. There is a glorious choir of apostles; there the countless multitude of martyrs, crowned with victory after warfare and suffering; there the merciful enjoying their reward. Let us hasten there with longing desire; let us wish to be soon with them, soon with Christ. After the earthly comes the heavenly, after perishableness, eternity.”
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